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I HOPE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO PAUSE FOR A MOMENT,ADMIRE THE CLOUDS, CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN, GAZE AT THE STARS,TRAVEL TO THE DESTINATION YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO VISIT,OR JUST GET OUT TO EXPLORE YOUR OWN BACKYARD.

I was overcome with joy when I returned to see and read about so many experiences spent outside viewing and capturing images of the solar eclipse. My Instagram feed was flooded with images of wonder, curiosity, and play. I think this is the first time I remember such a widespread sharing of the same subject matter. I loved each and every one of the images I saw because each represents an experience of wonder. I am hopeful that we can find many more days to fill our lives (and our social feeds) with the beauty and awe of the world.

I totally wanted to get out for a hike to view the eclipse and so we adventured to Little Jackson Mountain in Maine as our viewing spot. The spot itself didn't really make a difference for visibility, but why not make it a day of adventure to chase the sun and clouds (at least that was our thinking on it). When the time came, I pointed my camera up, looking at the screen, and we rotated our two pairs of polarizing sunglasses to capture the partial eclipse.

Each time I throw on my pack and head into the wild is another chance to experience the magic of the mountains. 

— Jlynn

Starting the year off with an adventure has become one of my favorite traditions. This year was no different. After a bit of discussion and weather watching it was decision time: let's make our way to Table Rock in Grafton Notch State Park.

The weather report? Not good. Visibility? Uncertain. Snow? Maybe. A good day for an adventure? You bet!

The alarm went off about 2 a.m. and we piled into the car. It was snowing at home with an inch or two on the ground. Slow and steady we made our way into the mountains of Western Maine. We arrived later than we had hoped since it snowed the entire trip. Better to arrive safely than not at all.

Threw on our gear, headlamps, and off we went. It is nice to meander and take your time, but the sunrise was coming and we would need to move quickly. It did not look like we would see the sun, but the only way to know what we were going to see was to get to Table Rock.

About halfway or so, Jared called ahead and told me to push on and he would follow soon after. We both knew this trail and so I felt comfortable to push on and make a break for the top. I arrived just after the "official" sunrise. I was greeted by two fellow adventurers enjoying the view and we immediately wished each other a happy new year!

I made the first two images within a minute or two of arriving. Then the clouds rapidly overtook us. Jared arrived in time for a partial view from the overlook. Then, in a blink of an eye, we were left with just the view of the rock at our feet. Each time I throw on my pack and head into the wild is another chance to experience the magic of the mountains.

I am a big fan of doing a year in review. The why and how behind sharing a year in review continues to change and evolve. I began with a piece on Remembering 2016 with 16 Maine Landscape Photos on my blog Wild For Adventure blog hosted by the Bangor Daily News.

After taking a deep dive into photographs throughout the year, I felt it was important that my 2016 year in review be a time to share a mix of the people, places, and moments that led me to create images. Unlike years past, my year of adventure took place almost entirely in Maine (with the quick exception of crossing the border into Canada to visit Roosevelt Campobello International Park).

This is not a "best of" or in order by location, month, or place. It is simply a collection that I selected as favorites for a variety of reason. My intention is to share a greater story of adventure through a series of moments large and small. Moments that were meaningful to me and that keep me overflowing with curiosity to get out there to explore, create, and preserve our wild places.